Tag Archives: state of emergency

The second major storm of the month hit the city Tuesday leaving almost a foot of snow and bringing a blast of bitter cold that will last for several days.

Snowfall escalated around rush hour Tuesday night, Mayor Bill de Blasio said, but “the men and women of sanitation who work for this city intensified their efforts” to clear the streets.

“This storm was challenging in its size and intensity but the people who work for the City of New York rose to the occasion,” he said as he updated the city Wednesday morning.

In some areas of the city, snow accumulated to 11.5 inches, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Although the snow has tapered, freezing temperatures are still expected throughout the night. Temperature highs will remain in the teens, but feel as low as below zero with the wind chill.

The New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) issued a hazardous travel advisory for Wednesday and warned motorists to drive slowly, monitor weather and traffic, use major streets or highways, and have the name and number of at least one local towing service.

Alternate side parking is suspended Wednesday and Thursday to facilitate with snow removal, but payment at parking meters remains in effect. To track the progress of Department of Sanitation clearing operations throughout the five boroughs, click here.

Trash and recycling pickups are also suspended for Wednesday.

Express subway service was restored Wednesday morning and buses were running at 80 to 90 percent of normal levels, de Blasio said. Those levels, he said, would increase throughout the day.

Fastrack work on the E,F,M,R Queens Blvd. Line has been canceled for the remainder of the week to free up personnel for snow fighting and cleanup after the storm.

On Wednesday, Metro-North is operating at 80 to 85 percent of its normal weekday service, with some trains combined and some delays possible based on the condition of track and power systems. The LIRR is operating on a weekend schedule.